We announce with sadness the death of Lynn Bodoni, longtime administrator of the Straight Dope Message Board. Lynn’s quick wit and tart tongue were a delight to her friends, and her steady hand and good counsel were much valued during the many years in which she helped administer this board. We extend our condolences to her family; she will be greatly missed.
Arrangements are being kept private; no flowers, please. Lynn was an avid gamer and her family would like to advise the gaming communities in which she participated of her passing. Anyone with knowledge of venues in which Lynn was active is asked to contact TubaDiva and we will pass the word along - thanks.
I never met Lynn IRL, but she once sent a small donation to me, unsolicited, to assist in an experiment I was doing. I thought that was very nice and quite unexpected, and I don’t think it came from an expense account. I have a sneaking suspicion that Cecil doesn’t provide millions to the teeming millions, and it came from her own pocket.
“She will be missed by friends and family”(or something equally all-inclusive) is what is usually said at times like these, but that has always seemed so impersonal to me. Forgive my selfishness, but I will miss her. She always treated me with kindness and respect, on this board, in email and in real life. My condolences to her family, and to those who where lucky enough to know her more than I.
Lynn served The Straight Dope for many years, beginning in the fall of 1996, when TSD was on AOL.
Health issues kept her from being as active as we all might have liked these last few years, but she still came to the board when she could and assisted whenever possible.
I was privileged to call her my friend and I miss her.
As Ed has mentioned there will be no service; Lynn didn’t truck with any of that. She did love animals, cats most of all, and if you truly wish to remember her in a tangible way, support your local animal shelter or even better, go there and adopt a cat. Having a Lynn Bodoni kitty in your house would be a very appropriate memorial. Lynn would approve.
It’s the second sudden passing of someone I know online within the space of a week.
I think Lynn and I only communicated a couple of times in all the years I’ve been on the board, but I always admired the way she handled other Dopers with, as Czarcasm said, with kindness and respect.
